Agenda and minutes

Wozzy Brewster

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and announced that this special

meeting of the Council was to confer upon Wozzy Brewster the Honorary

Freedom of the London Borough of Lewisham. He reported this was only the

15th time in the borough’s 53 year history that a Freedom had been

conferred.

The Chair then announced that, under Section 249(5) of the Local

Government Act 1972, a Borough Council can admit to the Honorary Freedom

of the Borough, ‘persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion

of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Borough’. He then called

upon the Acting Chief Executive to read out the resolution of the Council

passed at a special meeting of the Council on November 22 2017.

The Acting Chief Executive formally reported that it was resolved that Wozzy

Brewster be admitted as an Honorary Freewoman of the London Borough of

Lewisham “It is recommended that Wozzy Brewster OBE FRSA be admitted

as an Honorary Freewoman of the London Borough of Lewisham in

recognition of her service to the Borough and in particular its young people.

She grew up in Deptford and has been making a difference to young people

ever since, helping many of them become involved in music and arts. She

founded the Midi Music Company and is still running it today. Her wider

involvement in the life of the borough includes Deptford City Challenge whose

board she sat on, and she has also been an extraordinary ambassador for

Lewisham creating and delivering international arts projects in Italy, Lithuania,

Ireland, Germany, the USA and Mauritius. She has been a marvellous source

of advice, encouragement and inspiration to many in Lewisham across all

ages, demonstrating why she is an appropriate recipient of the highest award

the borough can make.”

Wozzy Brewster then signed the Freedom Roll of Honour and her signature

was witnessed by the Mayor and the Acting Chief Executive.

The Chair, after paying his own personal tribute to Wozzy, then called

upon, in turn, the Mayor, Beverley Glean MBE, Artistic Director IRIE! Dance

theatre, Rachel Bennett, Shovell, the percussionist from the dance band M

People and Councillor Joan Millbank, Cabinet Member for the Third Sector, to

speak in support of the Council’s recommendation.

The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, then presented to Wozzy Brewster a

casket containing the Council’s resolution inscribed on a vellum scroll and

sealed by the Council. The Mayor also presented Wozzy with a personal gift of her favourite alcoholic beverage.

The Honorary Freewoman then responded and concluded by thanking the

Council for the honour that had been accorded to her. The Council then adjourned for an evening of musical entertainment.

The meeting closed at 9.09pm.